The Enigmatic Dreamland Song: Unraveling a 25-Year-Old X-Files Mystery
After decades of intrigue, dedicated X-Files enthusiasts triumph as they unveil the long-lost secret of the enigmatic Dreamland song, putting an end to the 25-year-old mystery that has captivated viewers since 1998
X-Files fans have been searching since 1998 to identify the title and artist of a song played in the background of one of the show’s Season 6 episodes. Thanks to Twitter, the mystery has finally been solved. The X-Files has a reputation for excellent atmospheric musical choices, including songs by Nick Cave and the Foo Fighters, as well as its iconic theme song.
The song featured in a previous episode has left people wondering about its authorship for more than twenty years. It wasn't until a Twitter user took it upon themselves to investigate.
I searched for the episode (S6E5 Dreamland II) and it seems I'm not the only one who thought "wow, that's a good song," because it's mentioned on the IMDB page that this elusive song can't be found. What's going on? pic.twitter.com/vfGuOloV91
— auntie cistamine (@laurenancona) December 5, 2023
The song was featured in the fifth episode of the sixth season, titled Dreamland II. After some investigation, the query reached composer Rob Cairns, who knew the X-Files music editor at the time and suggested tracking down the cue sheet.
A different user heeded Cairns' recommendation and located the cue sheet for the episode. The song "Staring at the Stars" was penned by musician Dan Marfisi and Emmy award winner Glenn Jordan specifically for the show. You can watch the song's appearance in the episode in the video below.
The recording was never made public, leaving fans of the show to wonder about its origins for a long time.
Marfisi and Jordan wrote the song in just four hours. Speaking with NPR about the writing process, Marfisi explained, "We were tasked with writing something that would appeal to both aliens and humans. We looked up at the sky and thought about what's up there besides aliens, and we found stars...that was our brainstorming session."
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I am fascinated by the recent revelation of the enigmatic Dreamland song from the iconic TV series, The X-Files. The 25-year-old mystery surrounding the song's title and artist has captivated fans for decades, and it's thrilling to see dedicated enthusiasts finally uncover the truth. The power of social media and the collective efforts of the X-Files community have made this discovery possible, showcasing the enduring impact and cultural significance of the show.
The story behind the song's creation adds another layer of intrigue to the X-Files mythology. The fact that it was specifically composed for the show, with the intention of appealing to both aliens and humans, speaks to the attention to detail and creative vision that went into every aspect of the series. The song's title, "Staring at the Stars," evokes a sense of wonder and contemplation, perfectly capturing the essence of the X-Files' exploration of the unknown.
